Cardio-protective effect of Rhododendron arboreum on isoproterenol induced myocardial infarction

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the Cardioprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Rhododendron arboreum (ERA) and rutin in an isoproterenol (ISO) induced myocardial infarction (MI) model. MI induced in rats by subcutaneous injection of ISO-(150 mg/kg body weight) at interval of 24 h for 2 days showed significant increase in the activity of serum cardial marker enzymes like aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase. Lipid peroxidative product like lipid peroxidase were significantly increased and enzymatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and non-enzymatic reduced glutathione antioxidants showed significant decrease in ISO-treated rats. Pre-treatment with ERA (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg) and Rutin (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg) orally to ISO-treated rats daily for 42 days caused a significant cardioprotective effect. Administration of ERA and rutin in normal rats did not have any significant effect on cardiac markers, lipid peroxidation & antioxidants levels. The results of our study show that ERA and rutin possesses cardioprotective activity in ISO-induced myocardial infarcted rats. Cardioprotective effect of ERA and rutin likely results from suppression of oxidative stress. Histopathological examination further confirmed the protective effect of ERA and rutin on the myocardial infarcted heart.